Arbor Day celebration with Sheridan College alumni

Ward 1 Town and Regional Councillor Sean O’Meara, centre-left, stands beside Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, centre-right, and a newly-planted sugar maple tree, part of the mayor’s Arbor Day event, Saturday, May 13. They were joined by Town staff and Sheridan College alumni. - Submitted

By Nathan Howes, Oakville Beaver

The Oakville community rolled up its sleeves and dug deep on Saturday, May 13 to plant 500 trees at Nautical Park.

Mayor Rob Burton was joined by Ward 1 town and regional Coun. Sean O’Meara, town staff and a group of Sheridan College alumni to plant the trees during the mayor’s Arbor Day event.

The Town of Oakville says Nautical Park has been significantly impacted by the emerald ash borer.

Dead and dying ash trees were removed from the trail last year as part of the town’s 2016 Woodlands Hazard Abatement Program.

Nautical Park was identified as a prime site for restoration to help the woodland repopulate with preferred native species.

The restoration project will have additional plantings later this year.

According to the town, the Arbor Day planting is another effort from it to manage, protect and renew its urban forest.